“Despite the good news that the HIV/AIDS rate is declining through the efforts of various world AIDS campaigns, South Africa is still at the epicentre of the pandemic. Along with reaching the global commitments to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, the country still faces the big challenge of HIV/AIDS-related deaths that result in orphaned children, as well as cultural beliefs that influence certain behaviour in society. Children are being orphaned at increasingly younger ages, prompting the need for the government to provide social
aid. According to UNAIDS estimates, 1,8 million people died from AIDS-related causes in 2009 in South Africa alone. It is critical to address prevention in areas that are most affected, and to ensure equitable access to high quality, cost effective
HIV/AIDS-prevention programmes. In this way, the lifespan of people living with HIV
can be increased. The following measures are
recommended to help curb the spread of HIV/
AIDS in the country through the ‘Getting to Zero’ strategy in order to achieve the MDGs.”
